History

The Scratch Foundation was founded in 2013 as the Code-to-Learn Foundation by Mitchel Resnick, Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab, and David Siegel, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the investment management firm Two Sigma. Mitch and David first met as graduate students in computer science at MIT in the 1980s, and reconnected 25 years later when David's son learned to program with Scratch, a visual programming language developed by Mitch's research group at the MIT Media Lab.

2013

2007

Logos

The Scratch Foundation word mark is to be displayed in its entirety on a solid background (avoid mid-tone or strongly colored backgrounds). The logo should not be displayed in parts, with color variations, or with other elements superimposed on top of the logo.

Bios

Mitchel ResnickCo-Founder, Board Member

Mitchel Resnick is Professor of Learning Research at the MIT Media Lab and Chair of the Scratch Foundation. At the Media Lab, Mitch develops new technologies and activities to engage young people in creative learning experiences. His Lifelong Kindergarten research group collaborated with the LEGO Company on the Mindstorms and WeDo robotics kits, and it develops the Scratch programming software and online community, used by millions of young people around the world. He also co-founded the Computer Clubhouse project, an international network of 100 after-school learning centers where youth from low-income communities learn to express themselves creatively with new technologies. Mitch co-founded the Scratch Foundation with David Siegel in 2013. He earned a BS in physics from Princeton, and an MS and PhD in computer science from MIT. He was awarded the McGraw Prize in Education in 2011.

David SiegelCo-Founder, Board Member

David Siegel is a computer scientist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is co-founder and co-chair of Two Sigma Investments, LP. Inspired by movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey, David was drawn to the nascent field of computer science at a young age, quickly developing a deep interest in programming. By the mid-1970s, at age 12, he was building memory and logic boards, and learning to program a supercomputer at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. As a freshman in high school, he also taught a programming course to high school students at an NYU summer program. This early interest in computers sparked a life-long passion for building intelligent computational systems, reflecting a lasting belief in technology's potential to improve virtually every human endeavor. After graduating from Princeton, David received a PhD in computer science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he conducted research at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. David went on to co-found Two Sigma, an algorithmic investment manager that applies cutting-edge technology to the data-rich world of finance. David's philanthropic efforts underscore his continuing belief in the power and promise of science and technology. Computational thinking, in David's view, is a powerful way of approaching complex problems and represents a new kind of literacy-a vibrant mode of expression that becomes more relevant with every passing year. As such, David currently sits on the board of several leading organizations at the intersection of technology and creativity, including the MIT Corporation, Cornell Tech, Carnegie Hall, and Stanford's Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society.

Margaret HoneyBoard Member

Dr. Margaret Honey is the president and CEO of the New York Hall of Science. She joined NYSCI in November of 2008. Among her current interests at NYSCI is the role of design-based learning in promoting student interest and achievement in STEM subjects. She is widely recognized for her work using digital technologies to support children’s learning across the disciplines of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Prior to joining NYSCI, she spent 15 years as vice president of the Education Development Center (EDC) and director of EDC’s Center for Children and Technology. While at EDC, Margaret was the architect and overseer of numerous large-scale projects funded by organizations including the National Science Foundation, the Institute for Education Sciences, The Carnegie Corporation, The Library of Congress, the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Energy. She also co-directed the Northeast and Islands Regional Education Laboratory.

Christina MillerBoard Member

Christina Miller is president and general manager for Turner’s Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, as well as their digital brand extensions, including Cartoon Network.com and Adult Swim.com. In this capacity, Miller is responsible for leading the business in North America and working closely with Turner International to establish short and long-term priorities, as well as an overall worldwide strategic plan that will more closely align the Kids business. Prior to her current role, Miller was general manager of NBA Digital and senior vice president of Turner Sports Strategy/Marketing/Programming, where she oversaw the day-to-day operations for the NBA Digital portfolio. Miller joined Cartoon Network Enterprises in 2005 and was responsible for building the division’s first global, multi-property, strategic partnership which brought the entire Cartoon Network portfolio of toys to market. Under her direction and in addition to managing the licensing of all Cartoon Network and Adult Swim original series, CNE expanded its role in to third-party licensing through strategic partnerships that built on the division’s core competencies. Before joining Turner, Miller served as senior vice president of brand licensing for HIT Entertainment, responsible for brand strategy and licensing.

Lisa O'BrienExecutive Director

Lisa O’Brien is the founding executive director of the Scratch Foundation. Prior to joining the Foundation, Lisa directed global content strategy and acquisition for Discovery Education, where she secured educational media for digital distribution into K-12 classrooms. Earlier in her career, Lisa founded the art studio at the Boston Children’s Museum and built it into a dynamic, intergenerational art making space that offered daily, hands-on, visual art programming to the Museum’s annual 400,000+ audience of children, families, and school groups. Lisa is interested in the intersection of art and technology and is particularly excited by the opportunity to further position Scratch as a tool for creative and personal expression. She earned a BFA in sculpture from Boston University and an MA in art education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

My NguyenCommunications Specialist

My Nguyen leads communications efforts within the Scratch ecosystem as the Foundation's Communications Specialist. Prior to joining Scratch Foundation, My acted as Web Marketing and Promotions Manager for VistaGraphics, Inc., a full-service custom, hospitality, and lifestyle publishing company based in Virginia Beach, Va. During her time at VistaGraphics, Inc., My developed the company's digital marketing strategies, and created the Coastal Virginia Giving Back Awards, a now annual voting-based contest and gala event to honor and support outstanding local non-profit organizations. She values the connecting force of storytelling. In her current role, My tells the stories of people using Scratch in unique, innovative, and inspiring ways through social media and digital platforms. My graduated from Elon University in 2011, with a BS in online journalism and multimedia authoring.